• Units

Uesugi Special Infantry

Fire Bomb Throwers

Fire bombs are made from earthenware horoku pots that are filled with gunpowder and then lit by a fuse. As the fuse burns down, the thrower swings the bomb by an attached rope and then releases it at the right moment, hopefully hurling it at the enemy to explode. The resulting blast can be terrible as the pot shatters, and has a damaging effect on enemy morale too. These grenades can be used against enemy walls in sieges, but are just as effective when used as fire support in a field battle. These men are not experts in close combat, and need protecting from the enemy. They do not have the numbers to survive for long in melee.

Japan’s first introduction to gunpowder happened during the Mongol invasion of 1274. At this time, the samurai were still fighting according to strict tradition: they would find a worthy opponent, declare their notable heritage and achievements, and then begin a set of single combats. The Mongols, however, fought very differently, and when the samurai met them at Hakata Bay, they were greeted with a barrage of dishonourable but effective explosive bombs. Despite this initial experience of gunpowder’s usefulness and effects, the samurai would not properly adopt it for another 300 years.

Unit Name Fire Bomb Throwers

Unit Key Inf_Special_Fire_Bomb_Throwers

Soldiers 40

Category Ranged Infantry

Class Special Infantry

Multiplayer Cost 700

└ Multiplayer Limit 0

Recruitment Cost 700

├ Recruitment Turns 1

└ Unit Limit 0

Upkeep Cost 150

Melee Attack 2

└ Melee Weapon sabre

Charge Bonus 2

Bonus vs Cavalry 0

Range 50

├ Missile Weapon sling

└ Projectile shogun_fire_bomb

Accuracy 30

Reloading Skill 15

Ammunition 10

Melee Defence 2

Armour 2

Morale 5

Abilities

No Ability

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Devastating but short range attack.
• Very vulnerable in melee.
• Very vulnerable to missiles.
• Vulnerable to cavalry.